According to a report by The Deposit Protection Service (DPS), the custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme accredited by the Government, void periods between landlords, who market properties directly ,differ from those who use Letting Agents

It was found that on average, letting agents ensure that the void period on a property is kept to within two weeks on 63% of properties compared to only 38% for those marketed by landlords directly.

It’s been estimated that the cost to landlords of rental voids is more than £3billion a year. Jonathan Detheridge, Managing Director of Go Lettings, said ‘though some landlords market their properties effectively, landlords who advertise on their own, do not have access to the breath of distribution available to the letting agent, Rightmove, FindaProperty and Zoopla to name but a few. With demand out-stripping supply, there is simply no excuse for allowing properties to remain empty and not earning an income. Because we re-market properties as soon as notice is received, many of our clients are used to the perfect scenario - no void at all - with a new tenant moving in the day after the previous one moves out. This system allows our landlords to get the very best return for their investment property. Those landlords with property to rent in Nottingham or Leeds advertising themselves should give us a call to see the difference we can make.  We operate a no-let no-fee policy, so we don’t charge our landlords to advertise their property – it’s a win-win’.

To read the DPS report in more detail, please click here

One in five landlords have experienced rent arrears in the last three months, according to new research published by the National Landlords Association (NLA). The report states that, during the second quarter of 2010, just over 21% of landlords experienced rental arrears representing a small improvement on the previous quarter of 24.5%.

Andrew Sainsbury, of Go Lettings in Leeds, commented, ‘our landlords will be very surprised to hear these figures. At the time of writing we don’t have a single tenant in Leeds with a full outstanding rent payment. We pride ourselves on letting property the right way to the right tenants. Because our Property Managers both let and manage properties, we are only interested in renting properties to tenants we would want in our own properties. Our system reaps obvious rewards for our landlords, as illustrated in our rent arrears statistics compared to national figures. Landlords who want to minimise rent arrears, should contact us to see how we will let their property the right way’.

To read more about the rent arrears research published by the NLA click here

Liz Peace, CEO of the British Property Federation, said, “Simplifying the CGT rise to 28 per cent by not tinkering with taper or indexation relief shows a welcome desire to keep things simple. Thankfully, the rate of CGT has not been brought into line with higher rate tax levels but this is something that many will not be happy about. Particularly, buy-to-let investors who have propped up the housing market over the last 20 years will suffer and this could hit the future supply of rented housing.”

Andrew Sainsbury of GO Lettings in Leeds commented, "Letting agents across the country are reporting shortages in good quality properties to let and with fewer new landlords entering the market, this will inevitably put pressure on rent levels. In some areas, we have seen sizable rent increases this year – a welcome bonus to landlords in the current climate".

Click here for a summary of the implications of the Emergency Budget on the Private Rented Sector

"Over-valuing of properties for sale appears to be widespread, with the number of homes on the market reduced in price last month at a high", reported Estate Agent Today magazine.

Prices of 66,445 homes were reduced, with an average price cut of £14,700.

According to the property portal Home, which tracks data on asking prices for properties new to the market as well as prices for properties already for sale, sellers are reducing prices out of nervousness, ahead of the emergency Budget, and frustration.

Phil Wardle of GO Property says that vendors usually have a higher expectation of what their property will fetch, which can be unrealistic. There are plenty of buyers out there at the moment and those who market their property at a realistic figure from the outset often sell and in a relatively short time period.

For a realistic and no obligation appraisal of your property, please call our office or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to arrange an appointment.

Landlord body, the British Property Federation (BPF), has expressed satisfaction with the results of a major review of water charging. Last year, it was proposed that landlords could face being automatically liable for the unpaid water bills of their tenants. However, following intervention by the BPF and other landlord organisations, the NLA and RLA, this threat has now been avoided.

The review concluded that there should now be an obligation on landlords to notify water companies of changes in tenancy, and only then if failing to do so, would any liability flow. The water companies in turn should be obliged to make the notification process as easy as possible. Andrew Sainsbury of Go Letting Agents in Leeds, commented “all our landlords are in safe water.  All utility companies are always informed when a new tenancy starts, thus avoiding any liability for water bills for our clients”.

Common sense at last prevails and Home Information Packs have now been consigned to the dustbin the new government announced this morning. The only requirement for homeowners now is to have an up to date EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) which costs a awful lot less.

Read all about it here, and give us a call to list your property for sale with GO Estate Agents in Nottingham today.

Residents of Leeds City Island will soon have more than just a city centre pad to their name! GO Property Services has been teaming up with local businesses to bring new offers and discounts to the Islands! Flyers recently went out to all apartments with discount vouchers for City Car Club, offering a massive 50% off their joining fee! Fantastic news for those who, until now, have had to solely rely upon public transport.

Tearaway Prints have also offered residents 15% off any canvas prints they do for them and the new look Wellington Pub on Wellington Street has got 'Island Only' discount cards in production as we speak!! This, along with talks to local gyms and various other businesses...  it looks like a good time to become a City Islander!